From Kaylee - 01/07/07 - IP#: 66.82.9.xxx  Click here to reply  
I am a teen and for everyone that wants to help there kid/teen heres some advice. Don't say anything about there weight because that gets them mad at you and triggers them to eat just to make you mad. If you want to help them go to the grocery store and get healthy foods. Not mac and cheese, cookies, or pizza. Get something fresh, a galon of fat free milk, some fat free ranch to go with salad or veggies. Then plan a outdoor activity with them. If it's raining take them bowling. Do something active. Make it fun for them to be healthy. Make it something they can do and want to do. Give them the tools to be healthy and let them do it on their own. Last thing. Make sure you have bottles of water in your home. Not Juice or diet soda...WATER!! make sure they can always have water. I really hope I have helped someone on this board to help their child with weight loss.
Reply from ann, Child's Age 2 - 02/26/07  - IP#: 24.253.223.xxx
I agree with this advice! I was chubby as a child and heavy as a teen. I can tell from experience that the worst thing a parent can do is make a huge deal out of their child's weight. My parents did that and I did sneak food or binge to either get even or to "show" my parents they couldn't control me. I never rebelled with behavior, I rebelled with food.
Don't get me wrong, I don't blame my parents for my weight. I know it was my decisions that put me where I am and only my decisions will get me out of where I am. However, my parents' focus on weight did not help, and at times made me feel I was not worthy of anything better. However, as an adult, I am a happier person with a successful career, and good attitude. I'm considerate, intelligent, and have a good since of humor. I can honestly say that those things are by far more important than my weight and it's taken those realizations in my adult life to feel good enough about myself to feel worthy of a healthier body.

 
Reply from kaylee, Child's Age 2 - 02/11/07  - IP#: 66.82.9.xxx
I completly agree with over eating even healthy foods is bad. Buy things in set portion sizes. Teach portion sizes. If you cook make sure that there is only enough to everyone can have one portion.

 
Reply from Amelia, Child's Age 11 - 02/08/07  - IP#: 170.139.252.xxx
Kaylee, What GREAT advice! I think you're right on target. Any advice for kids who do exercise and eat reasonably healthy, but tend to gravitate towards overeating. Even healthy foods, eaten in excess, can add to weight gain. How do you tell a child that they simply eat too much?

 
Reply from Ashly, Child's Age 13 - 01/20/07  - IP#: 24.10.188.xxx
Yes! Thank you!